/ Bella Picks

After seeing the J Crew Chateau Trench online and completely swooning over it and it’s gingham lining, I realized I needed a good, sturdy trench coat with a hood. I debated ordering the Chateau Trench but felt that if it wasn’t going to make it to my store, I didn’t want to spend at least $300 ordering two different sizes and not being happy with either. My decision was sealed in searching for something else when I wanted more than what the Chateau Trench was offering.

Here’s my criteria.

  1. Hood – This is the main thing I want on my trench coat. I don’t care if it’s removable but I must have a hood.
  2. Color – Navy is my first choice in color and not the classic beige everyone else has.
  3. Style/Shape – The Chateau Trench is a shift and just a long rectangle. I want something with shape or with a belt to give it shape.
  4. Material – I don’t want anything that’s poncho-like or too thin material, which I know will be Poly. I need to have some substance.

Here’s what I found online. Of course, there’s Eddie Bauer, London Fog and The North Face but I was surprised by how stylish they were. My first pick is the Eddie Bauer Girl on the Go Trench. It meets all of my criteria. Instead of buttons or a belt it has princess seams for a flattering fit. The other Eddie Bauer trench is the Pack & Go Trench. Yes, it’s $100 for a trench that you can stuff into one of the pockets but the waist has a drawcord, it looks long enough to cover the booty. Both Eddie Bauer trenches are machine washable too.

The Via Spiga Single-Breasted Trench has a belt and pleating on the bottom. It comes in four colors on Amazon, including Navy. It’s not sold out, despite what my widget above shows. The Old Navy Trench is only available in size Large and above but the olive color is what intrigued me about it.

How bold is this Joe Browns Floral Mac? The hood and the waist both have a drawstring. And though the Boden Mac is an a-line shape I really like it in the Navy Floral Print.

The Via Spiga and Eddie Bauer trenches are on their way to me so I’ll do a follow-up post and review them for you.


/ Reviews

These are the last of my Ann Taylor fitting room pics I found on my phone.

~ Fringe Tweed Top, Medium ~

The fringe is at the neckline, arms and hem. The medium fit fine though the shirt doesn’t have much shape to it and is boxy. Unlike some of the other reviewers, I did not find this cropped, but if you are taller than me and wear a Medium on top, I’m pretty sure it will be shorter on you.

AT_FringeTweedTop

~ Fringe Tweed Pencil Skirt, size 6 ~

The skirt is what I really wanted to try on. There was a J Crew Wool Pencil Skirt from 2009 that was similar to this. The color on this AT skirt is really pretty IRL and the tweed is substantial and not too thin. The size 6 fit me just fine and the length is hitting me just below the knee.

AT_FringeTweedSkirt

AT_FringeTweed_Detail

If I was in the office daily, I would get the skirt and probably pair it with a chambray shirt.

AT_FringeTweed

~ Geo Short Sleeve Sweater, Medium ~

I liked this pattern but feel it works better on the skirt than the top. The pattern gets a bit distorted around the chest. Since it’s a snug sweater it will show any bumps with the pattern probably accentuating them more than I would like. I was hoping it might work so I had another option for jeans.

AT_GeoKnitTop

~ Geo Knit Pencil Skirt, Small ~

I loved the skirt and the pattern on it wasn’t distorted anywhere that I could tell (but I didn’t check the rear). Since the knit is woven tight, I went with the Small and it fit pretty well. I just have no idea what top I would wear with this skirt other than the matching Geo Sweater above.

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AT_GeoKnit_Detail

AT_GeoKnit

Are you a member of Ebates? Did you know that you can now get in-store cash back from Ebates? You link up a credit or debit card and link the offers available to your account. Then start shopping! Ann Taylor is one of the first stores to have in-store cash back. Currently there are a total of 5 stores with offers available to link. I prefer in-store shopping over online so I can’t wait until more offers and stores are added.
Ebates Coupons and Cash Back

Happy Shopping!


/ Reviews

As promised, though a bit late, here is a review of the Ann Taylor Embroidered Dot Perfect Shirt, as well as a few other items.

~ Embroidered Dot Perfect Shirt, size 8 ~
~ Striped Jacquard Pencil Skirt, size 6 ~

AT_DotShirt_StripeJacquardSkirt

~ Embroidered Dot Perfect Shirt, size 8 ~

This fit well in the size 8, just like the J Crew Perfect Shirts. Like I said in this post, I prefer the Ann Taylor version over the Onyx Dot. The dots on the Ann Taylor shirt are Navy and they are embroidered on to the white shirt. This shirt is also less see-through that the Onyx Dot shirt.

AT_EmbroideredDot

~ Striped Jacquard Pencil Skirt, size 6 ~

This is a fairly stretchy skirt, from what I can recall. I liked the color and stripes on this. The length is midi on me hitting at the top of my calf. The size 6 fit me just a little tight so I would either size to the 8 or the 8 Petite. I always confuse brocade and jacquard but this is textured material.

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~ Embroidered Dot Perfect Shirt, size 8 ~
~ Fluid Stripe High Waist Flare Trousers, size 8 ~

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Clown Pants was what first came to mind when I saw them on the hanger and I had to try them on. I guess because they are high-waist pants the cut is different from ATs other pants. These were really tight in the size 8 and the length was super long. I do like the navy and gray vertical stripes though.

AT_HighWaistStripeFlare

~ Colorblock Pullover, Small ~
~ Kick Crop Jeans, size 6 ~

AT_ColorblockPullover_Jean

~ Colorblock Pullover, Small ~

I really liked the mix of colors on this sweater as they reminded me of the Anthropologie Emperor Kiss Sweater from a few years ago. This was pretty cozy on and the Small fit very well to a little over-sized. I passed on it though but would reconsider it if it goes on sale.

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AT_ColorblockPullover_Side

~ Kick Crop Jeans, size 6 ~

I grabbed these to try on with the sweater and they fit ok in the size 6. I would size to an 8 for more comfort. They are not cropped on me, of course, so they 8 would be just a touch longer.

AT_CropJean

Ann Taylor has been having some sort of sale every week, usually 40% off but sometimes 50% off. That’s what it was in-store when I bought the Embroidered Dot Shirt. There isn’t a sale today but I would think another one is coming later this week.


/ Reviews

Up next is the matching skirt to the Tweed Jacket I reviewed yesterday.

~ Multicolored Tweed Skirt, size 8 ~

The size fit well and I still like the blue tweed. I’m not a fan of the dark navy waistband though. You know I love a good mini but the length seem shorter to me than most of the mini skirts in the past. Also, the back has an exposed zip. Thought we were going to be done with that J. Crew?

JC_TweedMini

~ Perfect Shirt in Onyx Dot, size 8 ~

The size 8 fit fine but the shirt seems just a little see-through. Of course, it’s white so I’m sure that’s why. It’s not thick like an Oxford. The dots are black. I am not a huge fan of this dotted shirt because Ann Taylor has a version that’s Embroidered Navy Dot.  I did buy that a few weeks ago and I see I have failed to review it so I’ll have that for you tomorrow. Today, everything at Ann Taylor site is currently 50% off with code PRETTY50. 

JC_DotShirt

~ Tweed Jacket w/Zippers, size 8 ~
~ Perfect Shirt in Onyx Dot, size 8 ~
~ Multicolored Tweed Skirt, size 8 ~
~ Elsie Leopard Pumps, size 7 ~

If you want to match the jacket with the skirt it’s a good look. There’s the dress too.

JC_TweedOutfit

I am off to a wedding shower and am loving our gorgeous day! I’ll be wearing my new AT Shirtdress, that’s also 50% off today.


/ Reviews

I have a quick review of the Tipped Jackie for you this morning.

~ Tipped Lightweight Wool Jackie Cardigan, Graphite Navy Snow, Medium ~

I liked this Tipped Jackie. Even in the brighter Persimmon color. I don’t know about the Shell though, as you see in a bit below. The Medium fit fine though the Jackie’s seem to be getting smaller and smaller each year. Is it just me? Probably my “winter coat”. If I didn’t already have the Fine-Striped Merino Cardigan, this probably would have come home with me. It’s a good layering piece with some visual interest.

JC_TippedJackieCardi

JC_TippedJackieCardi_side

~ Tipped Lightweight Wool Jackie Shell, Graphite Navy Snow, Medium ~

I put this shell on and immediately knew I would need a Large. It’s very ill-fitting on me. It’s snug everywhere and the length, though it looks fine, is short. Any movement resulted in the shell riding up past the top of my jeans. The material is pretty thin as well. I wouldn’t be surprised if the Persimmon color was a little see-through. I’ll spare you the side view ’cause it ain’t purdy.

JC_TippedJackieShell

I’ll be back later with a review on the Tweed Mini Skirt and Perfect Shirt in Onyx Dot.